Tech startup The Usic to expand into Baltimore, D.C.

The Usic, a York-based online marketplace that links artists and small businesses, plans to expand to Baltimore and Washington, D.C., in the coming months as its network grows.

The tech startup that officially launched in April has gained more than 700 users of its site locally, and it’s the right time to begin offering the marketplace to larger metro areas, said Usic founder John McElligott.

The Usic has some business members in the Baltimore and Washington area providing services, he said. The company began a small scale marketing effort during the past several weeks to test the markets and gain greater recognition there.

As part of that effort, McElligott and business partner Mike McHenry are looking for a round of investment funding over the next two months so they can make some necessary changes and market to the metro areas, McElligott said. They are improving The Usic’s search function to better manage the influx of new users from a larger geographical area.

The Usic will remain based in York, he said.

McElligott and McHenry have been developing The Usic over the past couple years as an online marketplace where musicians and other creative types can connect with small businesses such as photographers, videographers and recording studios for deals. Users finalize their deals on the site, then use The Usic to cross-promote each other in social media.